An Inquiry-Based, Problem-Solving Approach to Introductory Geology Laboratories

这项提议要求设备建立以探究为基础、解决问题、建构主义的入门地质学实验室经验，特别强调大学前的教师。西切斯特大学正在翻修一间实验室，专门教授地质学入门课程，这笔赠款将为学生提供所需的设备，让他们亲自参与构成地球科学的一系列活动。实验课程旨在让学生参与三个为期数周的持续调查，要求他们收集观察和数据，以图形和统计分析数据，对特定情景进行合理解释，并将此范围的信息呈现给同学。这些调查涉及：1)通过《小报》了解地球材料的奥秘，学生们将在法医地质学的背景下研究地球材料；2)通过研究房地产的“实际价值”(学生在这里学习与购买房屋相关的潜在危险)来研究地表过程；以及3)通过开发和测试地球过去历史的计算机模型(使用Stella软件)来研究地球系统科学，以了解与计算机GCM产生的全球变化预测相关的“精确度”。教员指导所有实验室，我们设想每位教员使用所需的各种设备来定制他的教学方法。这项建议的一个关键部分是西切斯特大学教育学院的一名评估专家的参与，他的专业知识将使我们能够确定我们个性化教学设计的相对有效性。教学前的学生还将学习评估程序，作为其教育培训的组成部分。地质学概论课程经常满足对预科教师的自然科学通识教育要求，也是科学专业预科教师的必修课。每年大约有100名未来的教师参加这门课程。预计这些未来的教师参与以探究为基础的课程将提高学生对科学过程和模式探究教学策略的理解。

This proposal requests equipment to establish an inquiry-based, problem-solving, constructivist introductory geology laboratory experience with a particular emphasis on pre-college teachers. West Chester University is renovating a laboratory room that will be dedicated to introductory geology instruction, and this grant will provide the equipment required for students to personally participate in the range of activities that constitute Earth science. The lab curriculum is designed to engage students in three multi-week, continuing investigations that require them to collect observations and data, graphically and statistically analyze their data, formulate reasonable interpretations to specific scenarios, and present this range of information to classmates. These investigations address: 1) Earth Materials through a "tabloid" who-dun-it mystery where students will study Earth materials within the context of forensic geology; 2) Surficial Processes through the study of the "real value" of real estate (where students learn the potential hazards associated with purchasing a home), and 3) Earth Systems Science through development and testing of computer models (using Stella software) for the past history of the Earth in order to understand the "precision" associated with global change predictions generated by computer GCM's. Faculty instruct all labs and we envision each faculty member customizing his instructional approach using the variety of equipment requested. A critical part of this proposal is the participation by an expert on assessment from the School of Education of West Chester University, whose expertise will allow us to determine the relative effectiveness of our individualized instruction designs. Pre-teaching students will also study the evaluation procedure as an integral part of their educational training. The Introductory Geology course frequently fulfills the natural science general education requirement for pre-teachers and is required of pre-teachers in the science program. A pproximately 100 future teachers a year will participate in this course. t is anticipated that the participation of these future teachers in an inquiry-based course will improve student understanding of science processes and model inquiry pedagogical strategies.